“Then you don’t,” Roan said. “No one has to do anything they don’t want to do. This is supposed to be fun, not homework.”
Julia studied him for a moment, then nodded slightly. “Okay.”
“First question,” Reese said, glancing at her phone. “Would you rather have to sing everything you say, or dance everywhere you go? A is sing, B is dance.”
Emma picked up her paddle and held up the blue A, then switched it to B. “Can I sing and dance at the same time?”
“Do you like to do both?” Reese asked.
“Yes, I love to sing and dance,” Emma said.
The others picked up their paddles. Julia raised blue. Marcus raised blue. Cody and Roan both raised green.
Reese held up her own blue paddle. “Dancing for me. Why dance, Cody?”
“No one wants to hear me singing,” Cody said. “At least my dancing wouldn’t hurt anyone’s ears.”
Roan nodded. “Same. I can’t carry a tune to save my life.”
“What about you?” Julia asked Reese. “Why dancing?”
Reese smiled. “I’m a dancer.” She gestured toward her studio. “I own Sugarplum Dance.”
“Is it true you used to be a ballerina?” Emma asked, a hint of longing in her voice.
“I was, yes.” Reese played with the heart on the end of her necklace.
“Why’d you quit?” Julia asked.
“My body wore out,” Reese said. “It was time to retire.”
“Do you miss it?” Julia asked.
“A little. But I have my students now. I love teaching,” Reese said. “Why do you ask?”
Julia shrugged, a hard glint in her eyes. “I had plans for college.”
“You could still go,” Emma said. “Couldn’t you?”
“With what money? Or time?” Julia asked. “From what everyone’s telling me, my life’s basically over now.”
“It’s not over,” Roan said. “You’re just on a different path than you thought you’d have.”
“What do you know about it?” Julia asked.
Roan hesitated, wondering how much of his own story he should share and feeling a little shy to give that much insight into his own life. But he had to be open with these kids if he expected them to trust him. “I was a stuntman in Hollywood fora long time. Last year, I got thrown from a train and hurt my neck. I can’t do that kind of work any longer, so I had to pivot.”
“How’d you choosethisplace?” Cody asked. From his tone, it was clear he wasn’t a fan of Sugarville Grove.
“He grew up here,” Reese said before Roan could answer.
“So you’re back?” Julia asked. “After living in L.A.? Sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Roan said. “You may not realize it now, but this is a great place to live.”
“Did you think that when you were our age?” Emma asked.
Roan glanced over at Reese, feeling way too exposed. “I had dreams that took me away from here, I guess you could say. But I’m in a new phase of life and happy to be back.”
